Montenegro face Fifa sanctions following crowd disorder during the 1-1 draw with England in Podgorica

Fifa will today study the reports of referee Jonas Eriksson and their match
delegate before deciding whether to take disciplinary action against
Montenegro for the behaviour of their fans in the 1-1 draw with England on
Tuesday night.

According to witnesses, missiles, including a lighter, a bottle of water and toilet roll, were hurled at goalkeeper Joe Hart while Ashley Cole was spat at.

A photographer reportedly had a cup of urine poured on him, a flare was also thrown into a section of fans and there was a mass brawl among Montenegro supporters even before the match began.

The Montenegro supporter who was initiating chants with his megaphone throughout the match also ended with the provocative message ‘**** you England’ while the away fans were being held behind after the game.

The Montenegro Football Association has apparently stressed that the chanting was not put out over the tannoy, with the implication that they had no control over the fan with the megaphone.

The Football Association is also awaiting the delegate’s report and Fifa’s verdict before making any comment but it is understood that it does have its own recordings of some of the incidents.

Although there had been applause and huge respect from the Montenegro fans for both national anthems, it was clear throughout that England’s players were being targeted with a variety of missiles, particularly goalkeeper Joe Hart who was stood in front of the most vocal section of the crowd during the second-half.

“You get all sorts of things thrown at you,” said Hart. “It was a lighter. There was a marker pen, all sorts. Anything they have to hand. A big bottle of Evian.”

Of the toilet roll, Hart said: “It pinged off my head and wrapped round my shoulder but it’s not going to kill you, is it? It’s not ideal, but that’s the beauty of football.”

A Fifa spokesman said last night that all the evidence was being gathered.

“We are still collecting all the post-match reports, since the officials have got 24 hours to send them,” said the spokesman. “Based on the mentioned reports, Fifa will proceed accordingly.”

Dejan Savicevic, the president of the Montenego FA, had issued a plea before Tuesday’s match for the home supporters to “cheer and support our players in a sporting manner”.

In the past 19 months, the Montenegro FA has paid out €90,000 (£76,000) as punishment for a series of incidents, notably a pitch invasion, and the throwing of flares, fireworks and seats.

As well as all the distractions in the crowd, Hart also emphasised problems with the pitch in explaining why England ceded their one-goal advantage.

“These are tough places to come you have to give respect to these opposition,” said Hart. “It is hard to play football sometimes when the pitch is like it is but it is the same for both teams. They dealt with it better second half.”

The result leaves England two points behind Montenegro in the group and facing the possibility of a play-off later this year to ensure their qualification for the World Cup.

“It’s a really tough thing to qualify for a World Cup and you kind of take it a bit for granted but that’s our plan and we aim to really capitalise on the home games,” said Hart.

“We have got ourselves in a strong position. We have got Montenegro at home. If we win all the games now we finish top of the group and nothing can be said.”

Asked if qualification was taken for granted, Hart said: “No that’s what we expect as a nation. We are England, we should be qualifying for things but it is a lot harder said than done.”

After the hostility and intensity of Tuesday’s match in Podgorica, James Milner believes that it will be a very different proposition to face Montenegro at Wembley later this year in a match that is now likely to be the Group H decider.

“It will be a tough game but a completely different atmosphere,” said Milner. “We’re at home, familiar surroundings and it’s Wembley, our home pitch, so hopefully we can win our remaining games and qualify.